Air conditioning system

ABSTRACT

An air conditioning system is provided that may include a control apparatus that provides easy access to data for an air conditioner to determine and control an operation state of the air conditioner visually. The air conditioning system may store and manage data received from the air conditioner, and display visually a change in the operation state of the air conditioner with time, enabling a user to easily determine a state of the air conditioner and to instantly recognize a problem with the air conditioner and to easily determine a flow on a whole structure and general operation of the air conditioner, thereby to significantly improving user convenience.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0127471, filed on Nov. 12, 2012 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

An air conditioning system is disclosed herein.

2. Background

Air conditioning systems are known. However, they suffer from various disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIGS. 1 to 3 are schematic diagrams of an air conditioner system including a control apparatus in accordance with embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating data flow between a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment and an outdoor device of an air conditioner;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a controller in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view illustrating a frame for monitoring an air conditioner displayed on a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view illustrating a cycle frame of an air conditioner displayed on a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an indoor device control frame displayed on a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are exemplary diagrams illustrating frames of operation for a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment, to generate a test report;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are exemplary diagrams illustrating frames of an operation for storing data in a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment, displaying an error; and

FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment, displaying data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The advantages, features, and methods for achieving those will become apparent upon referring to embodiments described later in detail together with the attached drawings. However, embodiments are not limited by those disclosed hereinafter, but may be embodied in different modes. The embodiments are provided for making a disclosure perfect and notifying a scope to persons skilled in this field of art completely, and the embodiments will be defined only by scope of claims. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

An apparatus for controlling an air conditioner in accordance with embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

In general, a control apparatus controls a domestic appliance, such as a TV, a video device, an audio device, an air conditioner, a cable broadcasting converter, a satellite broadcasting converter, or a fan. Depending on the application, the control apparatus may remotely control various domestic appliances by wireless transmission of a control frequency or cable communication. The control apparatus may be a specialized apparatus to a particular domestic appliance, or a computer having software loaded thereon to control a particular domestic appliance.

Such a control apparatus may be applied to an air conditioner. A multi-type air conditioner used in a large-sized building, which requires a plurality of indoor units or devices, may have one outdoor unit or device connected to the plurality of indoor devices. As the plurality of indoor devices may be installed in respective rooms to air condition the rooms, an effect may be obtained that a plurality of air conditioners are installed in the building.

In general, the multi-type air conditioner is provided with a central controller to control and monitor a state of the air conditioner in a position of a user, to enable the use to monitor temperature, an operation mode, and whether the air conditioner has something wrong with it or not. However, if the air conditioner has something wrong with it, a state of the air conditioner needs to be inspected based, not on simple state data, but rather, on various data for each unit or device of the air conditioner, for proper inspection.

Though an apparatus that accesses and inspects one of the units or devices of the air conditioner, to carry out a proper inspection of the state, shows data on each of the devices one by one, because an amount of the data is massive, there has been a problem in that it is difficult to forward the data effectively and to easily grasp a state of the data. Moreover, it is difficult to determine a cycle state of the air conditioner with only a simple list of the data, and a scheme is required to easily determine the cycle state.

FIGS. 1 to 3 are schematic diagrams of an air conditioner system including a control apparatus in accordance with embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1, the air conditioner system in accordance with embodiments may include an indoor unit or device 130, an outdoor unit or device 120, a central controller 110, a remote controller 140, and a control apparatus 150. In addition to the indoor device and the outdoor device, the air conditioner system may also include a ventilator, a defroster, a humidifier, a heater, and a showcase.

The control apparatus 150 may be a microcomputer including software connected to the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120, with or without wire, to control the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120. The remote controller 140 may be connected to the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120, with or without wire, for transmission of a control signal.

The central controller 110 may be connected to the indoor device 130 and the outdoor device 120 to transmit/receive data thereto/therefrom to monitor and control operation thereof. The central controller 110 may include an input to input an order or command thereto, and an output to display control data or information.

The input of the central controller 110 may include, for example, a mechanical button, or a touch pad to sense a touch input. The output of the central controller 110 may include a device that emits light, such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED), or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED).

The central controller 110 may include a microprocessor to process information, and transmit/receive a control signal for information processing. As shown in FIG. 1, the central controller 110 may be connected to the indoor device 130 and the outdoor device 120, and may communicate with the indoor device 130 and the outdoor device 120 with or without wire.

The central controller 110 may control the indoor device 130 and the outdoor device 120 individually. For example, in order to control the indoor device 130, the central controller 110 may perform a central control locking to cut off operation of the remote controller 140, which may control each of the plurality of indoor device 130. In such a case of the central control locking of the multi air conditioner system, the central controller 110 may transmit a signal to limit input to the remote controller 140, to the remote controller 140, the indoor device 130, or the outdoor device 120.

The air conditioner, being a room cooling/heating system that cools a room, or heats the room by an operation opposite to the room cooling using a repetitive operation of drawing warm air from the room, heat exchanging the warm air thus drawn with a low temperature refrigerant, and discharging the air thus heat exchanged to the room, is an apparatus that forms a series of cycles using a compressor-condenser-expansion valve-evaporator arrangement.

The air conditioner may be divided into the outdoor device 120 installed mostly outdoor, and the indoor device 130 installed mostly indoor. The outdoor device 120 may have the condenser and the compressor mounted therein, and the indoor device 130 may have the evaporator mounted therein. The outdoor device 120 and the indoor device 130 may be connected to the central controller 110 to receive a control signal. The indoor device 130 may include a plurality of indoor devices. The plurality of indoor devices 130 may be individually connected to the control apparatus 150 to receive a control signal to perform an operation corresponding thereto.

If data information is requested from or by the control apparatus 150, the outdoor device 120 may transmit the data information thus requested. Depending on contents of the request from the control apparatus 150, contents of the data information transmitted may vary. For example, the outdoor device 120 may vary the data information to be transmitted based on a requested time; however, embodiments are not so limited.

The outdoor device 120 may include a storage medium (not shown) to store the data information. The outdoor device 120 may store the data information, including operation states, periodically. In one case, the outdoor device 120 may receive a storage period, or a storage time period to store the data information from the control apparatus 150. If an error occurs, the outdoor device 120 may extend the storage time period of the data information recently stored or being stored. For example, if an error occurs, the outdoor device 120 may store the data information recently stored separate from other information. The storage medium (not shown) may include, for example, an Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory (EEP-ROM).

The indoor device 130 may communicate with the control apparatus 150 with or without wire. The indoor device 130 may include a communication module for communication with the control apparatus 150 with or without wire.

If the data information is requested from or by the control apparatus 150, the indoor device 130 may transmit the data information thus requested. The indoor device 130 may vary contents of the data information transmitted in accordance with contents of the request from the control apparatus 150. For example, the indoor device 130 may vary the data information transmitted according to a time requested by the control apparatus 150.

The indoor device 130 may receive a control signal from the control apparatus 150. If the control signal is received from the control apparatus 150, the indoor device 130 may report completion of reception of the control signal to the control apparatus 150, for example, and this may vary based on a communication system employed by the air conditioning system.

Upon reception of the control signal, the indoor device 130 may carry out an operation corresponding thereto. The indoor device 130 may receive a storage period, or a storage time period for storing a data signal, including an operation state, from the control apparatus 150. The indoor device 130 may store the data information periodically, or if an error occurs.

If an error occurs, the indoor device 130 may extend a storage time period of the data information recently stored or being stored. The indoor device 130 may include a storage medium (not shown) for storage of the data information. The storage medium may include, for example, an Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory EEP-ROM. For example, the indoor device 130 may store the data information periodically, and, if an error occurs, the indoor device 130 may store the data information recently stored separate from other information, for example.

The data information may include the operation state of the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120. For example, the data information may include, for example, an air temperature, a condensing temperature, an evaporation temperature, a discharge temperature, and a heat exchanger temperature, as well as any other information related to the operation of the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120.

The indoor device 130 may transmit the data information including the operation state to the control apparatus 150. Whether the indoor device 130 is turned on or off, whether the operation state of the indoor device 130 changes, or if an error occurs, the indoor device 130 may transmit data information indicating such to the control apparatus 150. If an event takes place, or at fixed intervals, the indoor device 130 may communicate with the control apparatus 150.

The remote controller 140 may control the indoor device 130 with or without wire. The operation of the remote controller 140 may be limited by the central controller 110. The remote controller 140 may control the operation state of the indoor device 130. The indoor device 130 may control one or more of the plurality of indoor device 130; however, embodiments are not so limited.

The air conditioner system may include the control apparatus 150. The control apparatus 150 may control the indoor device 130 and the outdoor device 120. The control apparatus 150 may change an operation mode of the indoor device 130. The operation mode may include modes of room cooling, dehumidifying, air cleaning, or room heating.

The control apparatus 150 may receive detailed cycle data from the air conditioner in real time to enable problem diagnosis on the air conditioner and display the cycle data on a screen.

The control apparatus 150 may display the data information received from the indoor device 130, the outdoor device 120, or another control device (not shown). The control apparatus 150 may display the data information in various modes. For example, the control apparatus 150 may display the data information in a mode of setting forth numerical values, or display the operation state of a device to be controlled in a time series of images, or a graph.

If there is an input intended to determine the operation state of a domestic appliance the control apparatus 150 is to control, the control apparatus 150 may transmit to the domestic appliance a signal for requesting the data information. The control apparatus 150 may select the outdoor device 120 or the indoor device 130 for which data information is intended to be determined.

If the data information is displayed in characters, such as numerals, the control apparatus 150 may display the data information on the indoor device 130, the data information on the outdoor device 120, and valve information on a pipeline that connects the indoor device 130 to the outdoor device 120. Depending on embodiments, if the valve information is displayed, the control apparatus 150 may display opened or closed valve information in color or with graphics. For example, the control apparatus 150 may display an opened valve in blue, a closed valve in gray, or display forms of the opened valve and the closed valve with graphics; however, colors or graphics are not limited to those described above.

If the data information is to be displayed using a graph, the control apparatus 150 may select a data value associated with a graph. For example, the control apparatus 150 may display a plurality of operation information buttons on a top side of a region where a graph is displayed, and if any one of the plurality of operation information buttons is selected, a data value matched to the operation information button thus selected may be displayed in the graph. For example, the plurality of operation information buttons may correspond to a pressure of the outdoor device 120 or the indoor device 130, a temperature of the outdoor device 120 or the indoor device 130, a discharge pressure from the compressor, an EEV opening, and a fan speed, respectively.

If the data information is displayed in time series images, the control apparatus 150 may select the outdoor device 120 or the indoor device 130 intended to display. If the control apparatus 150 selects one of a plurality of outdoor devices 120 intended to be displayed, the control apparatus 150 may select one of plurality of indoor devices 130 connected to the outdoor device 120 thus selected.

If the outdoor device 120 and the indoor device 130 are selected, the control apparatus 150 may receive the data information including the operation state of the indoor device 130 thus selected, and a connection state of the outdoor device 120 thus selected and the indoor device 130 thus selected. The connection state may include, for example, a pipeline connection state, a flow in the pipeline, and on/off of a valve.

The control apparatus 150 may display the operation state of the outdoor device 120 and the indoor device 130 thus selected in a time series, such as changes in a picture or changes in color. The control apparatus 150 may display a state of the pipeline that connects the outdoor device 120 and the indoor device 130 thus selected or a state of the valve.

The control apparatus 150 may display the state of the pipeline that connects the outdoor device 120 and the indoor device 130 thus selected with the change in color according to whether there is a flow in the pipeline or not, or according to a flow direction. The control apparatus 150 may display an on/off of the valve mounted to or in the pipeline connected between the outdoor device 120 and the indoor device 130 with a picture.

The control apparatus 150 may determine the operation state of the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120 in real time. If the control apparatus 150 determines the operation state of the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120 in real time, the control apparatus 150 may receive the data information and display the data information thus received in real time.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, a connected position of the control apparatus 150 may be varied. That is, referring to FIG. 2A, the control apparatus 150 may be connected to the outdoor device 120. If connected to the outdoor device 120, the control apparatus 150 may receive data stored at or in the outdoor device 120 to determine a state of the air conditioner. In this case, all data may be received through the outdoor device 120.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 2B, the control apparatus 150 may be connected to a communication line connected to a plurality of indoor devices 131 to 133, or depending on the case, may be connected to one of the indoor devices 131 to 133. The control apparatus 150 connected to the communication line connected to the plurality of indoor devices 131 to 133 may receive, not only the data stored at or in a particular device, but also the data transmitted/received among the plurality of indoor devices 131 to 133 through the communication line. For example, as the control apparatus 150 may receive and display the data transmitted/received between the indoor device 130 and the central controller 110, the control apparatus 150 may also receive and display a control flow of the central controller 110.

As such, depending on modes of connection of the control apparatus 150, that is, depending on a connection of the control apparatus 150 to the outdoor device or the communication line of the indoor device, the data the control apparatus 150 receives and displays may be vary.

Referring to FIG. 3, the air conditioner system may include a plurality of control apparatuses 150 and 160. The plurality of control apparatuses 150 and 160 may include a first control apparatus 150 connected to the air conditioner to collect data, and second control apparatuses 161 and 162 that communicate with the first control apparatus 150 to receive information on the air conditioner. The plurality of control apparatuses 150 and 160 may transmit/receive information in or using a variety of communication systems, and may display the data information in different languages.

The first control apparatus 150 may store and accumulate the received data and may access a separate data server 50, or may request data, if necessary.

FIGS. 4A-4B are schematic diagrams illustrating data flow between a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment and an outdoor device of an air conditioner. Referring to FIGS. 4A-4B, the control apparatus 150 may be connected to the outdoor device 120 to request data, and the outdoor device 120 may transmit the information data on the air conditioner to the control apparatus 150 as requested. In such a case, as described above, the control apparatus 150 may be connected to a communication line of the plurality of indoor devices 131 to 133, and may receive the control signal exchanged between the indoor devices 131 to 133 and the central controller 110 to collect information on the air conditioner.

When the data information is requested from the control apparatus 150, though the indoor device 120 or the outdoor device 130 may transmit the data information to the control apparatus 150, the data transmission is not so limited, that is, the data information may be transmitted to the indoor device 120 or the outdoor device 130 at particular periods or intervals.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the control apparatus 150 may include a processor 10 to process various signals and carry out calculations, a memory 20 to store programs and data in association with the processor 10, and an interface 30 to connect to peripheral devices related to input or output to/from the processor 10. The control apparatus 150 may also include a timer 70, a communication device 80, and an input/output 40 including an output 50 and an input 60.

The processor 10 may carry out different functions for the control apparatus 150, and may run or carry out different software programs and/or sets of command languages stored in the memory 20 to process data. The processor 10 may process signals based on information stored in the memory 20.

For example, the processor 10 may display data stored in the memory 20 on the output 50, or may carry out programs stored in the memory 20. The processor 10 may carry out the programs by calculating a time in association to the timer 70.

The memory 20 may include at least one magnetic disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other non-volatile memory, such as a non-volatile solid memory device. However, embodiments are not so limited, and the memory 20 may include a readable storage medium. For example, the memory 20 may include an Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory (EPP-ROM). The EEP-ROM may have information written or erased by the processor 10 during operation of the processor 10. The EEP-ROM may be a memory device, which may maintain information stored therein without being erased even if power to the control apparatus 150 is turned off to cut off power supply.

The memory 20 may store different programs and data stored therein in association with the processor 10. The programs the memory 20 has stored therein may be run by the processor 10.

If there is an input to the input apparatus 60 to determine the operation state of a domestic appliance the control apparatus 150 controls, the processor 10 may control the communication device 80 to receive the data information, which is operation information of the domestic appliance and to display the data thus received/transmitted. In such a case, the data being displayed on a screen may be displayed in time series images or characters.

If one outdoor device 120 is selected to be inspected through the input 60, the processor 10 may receive data information from the outdoor device 130 thus selected, and from one of the plurality of indoor devices connected to the outdoor device thus selected. In this case, the information may include the operation state of the indoor device thus selected and connection states of the outdoor device thus selected and the indoor device thus selected.

The processor 10 may receive information, and may display the operation states of the outdoor device thus selected and the indoor device thus selected, and the connection states thereof. The processor 10 may further receive information on the outdoor device or the indoor device in real time, and may display the information in images or characters in real time through the output 50. In such a case, the processor 10 may display the received data in a set language, or in a language other than a language stored therein.

The processor 10 may set a data storage time period or storage period of the outdoor device or the indoor device, and transmit the same to the outdoor device and the indoor device. The indoor device and the outdoor device may store the data according to the setting, and erase the data at a length of a storage time if the time period has passed.

In displaying the information on the outdoor device and the indoor device, the processor 10 may display data in real time or change the data in an order of times in succession if, the data is produced before a fixed time. In such a case, the processor may display information regarding components of the indoor device or the outdoor device, for example, valve, pressure, and temperature of the pipeline, and states of the heat exchanger and the compressor in images or moving images, and depending on the case, the operation state, in different colors.

For example, a fan operation state of the indoor device may be displayed in or as a rotating image of rotation blades, and a rotation speed of the fan may be displayed in or as a numerical value or a color. If the pipeline has a flow of a fluid therein, the flow may be displayed divided into a blue color and a red color depending on a temperature thereof, and a valve on/off may be displayed in a valve form and a color change, through the output 50.

If the processor 10 is to display the data thus received, the processor 10 may display the data, re-producing the data according to time, while controlling a display speed thereof. That is, in displaying changes in the information with time, the display speed may be controlled according to passing time.

The interface 30 may connect the input and output peripheral devices to the processor 10 and the memory 20. In such a case, the processor 10, the memory 20, or the interface 30 may be embodied on a single chip, for example, or they may be embodied on individual chips.

The timer 70 may check time. The processor 10 may determine whether a predetermined time has passed using the timer 70 to carry out a control. For example, the timer 70 may calculate a re-producing rate of the images; however, embodiments are not so limited, as there may be different embodiments.

The input/output 40 may connect peripheral devices, such as the output 50 and the input 60, to the interface 30 to relay and control input/output of data. Depending on the case, the input/output 40 may include an input/output controller (not shown) to control the output 50 and/or the input 60.

The output 50 may include a speaker that emits sound, or a display that emits light to make a visual display. The input 60 may include means to receive an external input, such as a physical button, a dial, a slider switch, or a click wheel, for example. The output 50 may include at least one of a Light Emitting Polymer Display (LPD), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD), a Organic Light-emitting Diode (OLED), a flexible display, or 3D display; however, embodiments are not so limited, and may include a variety of systems.

The output 50 may display information for controlling a component device to which the control apparatus 150 is connected. If the control apparatus 150 is applied to an air conditioner system, the output 50 may display information required for air conditioning. For example, the output 50 may display operation modes of the air conditioner, such as room cooling, room heating, dehumidifying, or air cleaning of the air conditioner, and may display a room temperature, a wind direction, and the presence of a heat source in a room.

The output 50 may be a touch sensing touch screen. In this case, the output 50 may be fabricated as one unit with the input. The touch sensing touch screen may display a visual output to a user, and may receive input from the user by sensing a touch. The visual output may include, for example, graphics, a text, an icon, a video, or a combination thereof. If the output 50 includes the touch sensing touch screen, buttons on the input 60 discussed below may be replaced with user interfaces (visual buttons) displayed on the touch screen.

The input 60 may include, for example, at least one button, or switch, and depending on the case, may include a touch pad that perceives an input by pressure or static electricity. The input 60 and the output 50 may be controlled by an input/output controller (not shown) in the input/output 40. The input 60 and the output 50 may include a plurality of interfaces or buttons corresponding to instruction words to carry out programs stored in the memory 20, or functions discussed above.

The communication device 80 may be connected to the indoor device 130, the outdoor device 120, and the interface 30 to receive a control signal from the interface 30 and transmit the control signal to the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120, and receive operation states from the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120. If the communication device 80 wirelessly communicates with the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120, the communication 80 may include a RF (Radio Frequency) circuit. The communication device 80 may transmit/receive the RF signal which is an electro-magnetic signal. The RF circuit may convert an electric signal to an electro-magnetic signal, and may communicate with a communication network and other communication devices with the electro-magnetic signal.

For example, the RF circuit may include an antenna system, an RF transceiver, at least one amplifier, a tuner, at least one oscillator, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chip set, and a memory, and may include known circuits to carry out functions. Moreover, the communication device may use a wireless communication system selected from, but not limited to, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification, IrDA (Infrared Data Association), Ultra Wideband, ZigBee, and Wi-Fi.

The communication device 80 may receive a signal from the processor 10 through the interface 30. If the communication device 80 receives a control signal from the interface 30, the communication device 80 may modulate the control signal and transmit the signal thus modulated to the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view illustrating a frame for monitoring an air conditioner displayed on a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. The control apparatus 150 may receive information on component devices including the outdoor device and the indoor device and forward the information through the output 50.

In such a case, referring to FIG. 6, the output 50 may display information on a plurality of the component devices connected to the control apparatus 150, including the outdoor device and the indoor device.

In such a case, the control apparatus 150 may sort the cycle data according to, for example, kinds of data, kinds of the component devices, and data characteristics, and divide a frame of the output 50 into a plurality of regions, to display the data thus sorted thereon, respectively.

The output 50 may display the information on the component devices on a frame, dividing the frame into a monitoring window 220 and an information display window 210. The monitoring window 220 may include an additional menu button 228 to display, in addition to a monitoring button T110, a cycle view button T120, and a detailed graph button T130. If these respective buttons are selected, a cycle view window and a detailed graph window may be displayed on the frame together with additional menus.

Further, the monitoring window 220 may have a plurality of function buttons displayed thereon. The function buttons may be, for example, a storage button 229, a still shot button 230, a control button 231, and/or a help button 232.

When the storage button 229 is selected, a plurality of data presently displayed by the output 50 may be stored, together with time information. The still shot button 230 may store data presently displayed on the monitoring window 220 and the information display window 210 with the appearance of the frame in a still shot image.

When the control button 231 is selected, a storage period of the data thus monitored, and a storage time period of the data for one storage period may be set. In this case, selection of a button is not required, rather, the data may be stored, periodically. A change in language displayed on the monitoring window 220 and the information display window 210 is possible. Further, frame settings may be corrected, and a size of image stored when a still shot is selected may be set. Moreover, when the control button 231 is selected, a control setting for the plurality of component devices may be possible.

The monitoring window 220 may have individual information and group information on one of the plurality of component devices displayed thereon, and information on a particular device selected at the monitoring window 220 may be displayed on the information display window 210.

The monitoring window 220 may have the plurality of component devices sorted, and information on the plurality of component devices sorted in or corresponding to a plurality of the buttons or taps, such that, if one of the buttons is selected, information on one of the plurality of component devices may be displayed on the frame. The monitoring window 220 may be divided into a plurality of regions to display data in the plurality of regions different from one another. The monitoring window 220 may display basic operation information, group, and individual device information for the plurality of component devices, cycle information, measured data values, and an operation graph window 239 for each device.

In the basic operation information, a control target value on a pressure or a temperature of the presently displayed device, for example, the air conditioner, and data being measured presently may be displayed. In the group and individual device information, a group selection button 237 may be provided to enable selection of a group intended to be displayed, and information on an individual device in the group may be displayed in a list. If there are contents in an additional information item, an additional information button 236 may additionally display information on a special indoor device on an additional window.

In the cycle and measured data information, whether each function of a master outdoor device and slave outdoor devices is operating or not may be displayed, and measured values thereof may be displayed. Further, information on the fan and the valve, and information on a discharge temperature of the compressor, a condensing temperature and evaporation temperature of the heat exchangers may be displayed. For example, the target pressure, the present pressure, a compression ratio, a room temperature, operation of each element, whether the valve of the outdoor device 120 is in operation or not may be displayed, and a pressure of the outdoor device 120 or the indoor device 130, a temperature of the outdoor device 120 or the indoor device 130, and a discharge pressure of the compressor, an EEV opening, and a fan speed may be displayed.

In the operation graph window 239, the pressure of the compressor, an operation frequency, a compressor temperature, a temperature of the outdoor device, operation of an outdoor device valve may be selected with respective selection buttons 238, to display a graph on each item of the device thus selected. The operation graph window 239 may display a plurality of pieces of information divided into colors different from one another, or thicknesses or line forms different from one another. Also, the information displayed on the operation graph window 239 may be displayed when the detailed graph button T130 is selected, but may be displayed in more detail.

In the information display window 210, if one of the devices displayed in the group information is selected, an operation mode, whether an error occurs or not, a kind of error, and product information on a product type or version of the device may be displayed, together with information on a position of the device thus selected. In the information display window 210, a communication state with the device thus selected may also be displayed.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view illustrating a frame for monitoring an air conditioner cycle displayed on a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the processor 10 may display information on a cycle of the air conditioner on a screen of the output 50 in or as an image.

If the cycle view button T120 is selected from the menu buttons in FIG. 6 discussed above, the cycle information may be displayed on a cycle view frame 240 displayed on the output 50. The cycle view frame 240 may arrange the component devices of the air conditioner matched or corresponding to actual connection states and installed positions, to display the present operation states thereon.

Each of the component devices may be displayed in or as an image, an icon, or a symbol which represents the component device, and the operation state of each of the component devices may be displayed in or as a color, a moving image, a character, or a numeral, for example.

The cycle view frame 240 may display cycle data changed in real time matched or corresponding to the data on the operation state of the component device of the air conditioner. For example, an outdoor device fan or an indoor device fan may be displayed in an image of a rotating fan, and if the fan image does not move (does not rotate), it may be determined that the fan is in a turned off state. Also, the operation state of the compressor may be displayed in a color, for example, in red and green.

The cycle view frame 240 has an outdoor device selection button T140 and an indoor device selection button T150 for, if a particular outdoor device is selected from the plurality of outdoor devices of the air conditioner, displaying information on the outdoor device thus selected, as well as the cycle data of devices connected to the outdoor device thus selected. Moreover, the cycle view frame 240 has an outdoor device region V110 and an indoor device region v120 displayed on the divided cycle view frame 240. For the indoor devices, information on a distributor connected to the indoor devices may be displayed all together, and in relation to this, a pipeline connection state V130 between the distributor and the indoor devices may also be displayed.

If one or a group of the indoor devices is selected from the plurality of indoor devices, the cycle information or data on the one or the group of the indoor devices thus selected may be displayed, together with information or data on the outdoor device to which the one or the group of the indoor devices thus selected is connected. As the control apparatus 150 is connected not to a single outdoor device, and a single indoor device, the control apparatus 150 may display cycle information on devices or groups of devices selected from the plurality of component devices.

If a particular device is selected at the cycle view frame 240, for example, the compressor is selected, an operation information window 241 may display the operation information, product information, and information on an installed site of the compressor.

If one of the plurality of component devices has something wrong with it, whether an error occurs or not may be displayed in a change of or in color or image, and a warning message may also be displayed on the cycle view frame 240. Error information may also be displayed on the operation information window V140.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an indoor device control frame displayed on a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, of the plurality of component devices, the control apparatus 150 may change an operation setting of, and control, a predetermined group of the component devices or an individual device.

When a separate menu is selected, or a control button is selected from or on the monitoring window discussed above, the control apparatus 150 may change a setting of a particular group of the plurality of component devices or an individual device, and control an operation thereof. If a particular device is selected from the monitoring window 220, the control apparatus 150 may display a separate control menu on the device selected.

One indoor device group may be selected from a plurality of indoor device groups formed in the plurality of component devices via an indoor device group button 241. In this case, besides general indoor devices, the indoor device group may include devices, such as showcases, ventilators, and heaters.

If one of the indoor device groups is selected, the indoor devices included in the selected indoor device group, and information thereon may be displayed on an indoor device list 242. A number assigned to each of the indoor devices may be displayed, and a kind of the indoor device may be displayed in an image. Information on a present state, temperature, in operation or not, and wind speed may be displayed in, for example, images, numerals, or symbols. Further, if one of the indoor devices is selected, detailed information on the indoor device thus selected may be displayed at a lower portion 243, and settings for the indoor device thus selected may be changed.

For example, one of modes of room cooling, room heating, and wind may be selected. Also, a flow rate may be selected from weak wind, medium wind, and strong wind. An operation, and stop may be set forcibly, and a desired temperature may be changed. In this case, if an entire operation control, or an entire mode control is selected, an operation control on the indoor device group thus selected, that is, all of the indoor devices in the indoor device list may be carried out. In the entire operation control, an operation on/off for all of the indoor devices in the indoor device group is possible, and the operation mode for all of indoor devices in the indoor device group may be controlled at a time in one of room heating and room cooling with the entire mode control. If the change in settings on the selected indoor device is finished, the control apparatus 150 may transmit data on a changed setting to the indoor device group thus selected, to control operation of the indoor device.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are exemplary diagrams illustrating frames of operation for a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment, to generate a test report. Referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, the control apparatus 150 may generate the test report based on information on the component devices displayed thereon.

By selecting a menu 251, a test report, FDD self diagnosis, or black box storage may be selected. If the test report is selected, the test report may be generated based on received information on the component devices, and a progress state bar 253 on the report generation may be displayed on the frame. Upon finishing the generation of the report, the test report 254 may be produced to or on the frame, and the test report thus generated may be transmitted to another control apparatus or to an external apparatus. At the time of generation of the test report, path information may be displayed together with the test report, such that the test report may be viewed if access is made from outside of the air conditioner system through the designated path.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are exemplary diagrams illustrating frames of an operation for storing data in a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the control apparatus 150 may store received information on the component devices thereto. In such a case, the control apparatus 150 may store periodic data for a predetermined time period, together with temporal information, such that, if the data thus stored is retrieved, data changed with time may be displayed in succession. At the time of storage of the data, the control apparatus 150 may store the data regardless of the present language and devices displayed, and if the stored data is retrieved, it may be displayed, with the language, or the devices to be displayed changed according to the setting. Further, at the time of storage of the data, the control apparatus 150 may select the data storing time and the data storing time period. Depending on a storage option, the data may be stored automatically without the need for a storage button, and data managed according to the time periods, separately. In such a case, besides general storage, the control apparatus 150 may have a black box storage function. Upon selection of the black box function by selection of the menu 271, the processor 10 may retrieve black box data, and store the black box data, separately, as shown in frame 273.

The control apparatus 150 may request from the outdoor device 120 or the indoor device 130 data generated just before an error takes place at the indoor device 130 or the outdoor device 120. The component device, such as the outdoor device or the indoor device, may store the data for a predetermined time period, and in particular, the component device may store the data generated before a predetermined time period with reference to the time when the error takes place for transmission to the control apparatus 150, separately.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment, displaying data. As discussed above, the data stored at the control apparatus 150 may be retrieved by selecting a menu to display the data on the frame of the output 50.

As the data is periodic data for the predetermined time period, including the temporal information, if the data thus stored is selected and retrieved, the data may be displayed on the frame changed based on the temporal information included in the data. For example, in a case of data change for one minute is stored, if the data thus stored is read, the data change for one minute may be displayed reproduced as it was.

In this case, as discussed above, the data may be displayed changing at a rate of the display (w120). The data, selected presently and being displayed again according to time at the time of storage, may be displayed at a high or low rate, and the temporal information b160 on the data being displayed presently may be displayed. In such a case, the data being displayed may be moved to a particular time point with the state bar b150.

A reproduction rate for the data thus stored may be displayed in reproduction rate window b140. For example, although the reproduction rate window b140 shows the reproduction rate of the image as a four folded rate, embodiments are not so limited, that is, the reproduction rate may be two fold, four fold, eight fold, or 16 fold, for example.

Accordingly, the control apparatus 150 may display the changing data like the operation information of the component devices in a video in a time series, allowing the user to notice or view the data change.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioning system that provides easy access to an air conditioner to determine and control an operation state of the air conditioner visually.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioning system that may include a plurality of equipped apparatuses connected to one another to form a network, and a control apparatus connected to one of the plurality of equipped apparatuses to monitor and control the plurality of equipped apparatuses. The control apparatus may receive a detailed cycle data which enables trouble diagnosis on the plurality of equipped apparatuses from the apparatus connected thereto thus in real time, and display the cycle data on the plurality of equipped apparatuses on a frame in real time, and carrying out control to determine whether the plurality of equipped apparatuses have something wrong taken place thereto and or not, and a position of the trouble, and determine the trouble on the plurality of equipped apparatuses according to the cycle data changed.

The air conditioning system may include an air conditioner that stores and manages data received from the air conditioner, and displays visually, to display a change of the operation state of the air conditioner with a time flow, enabling the user to determine a state of the air conditioner easily to recognize a trouble of the air conditioner instantly and to determine a flow on a whole structure and general operation of the air conditioner easily, thereby permitting to have an advantage of improving user's convenience, significantly.

This application relates to U.S. application Ser. Nos. 14/077,417 and 14/077,423, both filed on Nov. 12, 2013, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that features disclosed in these above-noted applications may be combined in any combination with features disclosed herein.

Although the air conditioning system according to embodiments disclosed herein has been described with reference to the illustrated drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limited to the above-described embodiments and drawings, but various changes or modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and the technical spirit.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An air conditioning system, comprising: a plurality of component devices connected to one another to form a network; and a control apparatus in communication with at least one of the plurality of component devices to monitor and control the plurality of component devices, wherein the control apparatus receives detailed cycle data which enables problem diagnosis for the plurality of component devices from the at least one of the plurality of component devices, in real time, and displays the cycle data on the plurality of component devices in a frame on an output, in real time, and carries out a control to determine whether any of the plurality of component devices has a problem with it, a position of the problem, and a cause of the problem according to a change in the cycle data.
 2. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control apparatus includes: an input; the output that displays the cycle data; a communication device connected to the at least one of the plurality of component devices to transmit and receive the data to and from the plurality of component devices; a processor to analyze the data, compute raw data on the plurality of component devices, change the raw data to data a user may recognize, and forward the data to the output; and a memory to store settings data for the plurality of component devices.
 3. The apparatus for controlling an air conditioner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the memory stores the cycle data, periodically or upon request by a user.
 4. The apparatus for controlling an air conditioner as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control apparatus further comprises a timer.
 5. The apparatus for controlling an air conditioner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the output comprises a touch screen.
 6. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control apparatus stores a history of the data changing with time at a time of storage of the data for the plurality of component devices, and if the data thus stored is retrieved, displays the data changed with time corresponding to temporal information on the data thus stored.
 7. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control apparatus analyzes the data received from the plurality of component devices to diagnose a problem or a state of the plurality of component devices, and produces a warning to the frame if a problem occurs.
 8. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control apparatus derives and displays a help or a solution for the at least one of the plurality of component devices having a problem based on data previously stored.
 9. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 7, wherein if the warning is displayed on the frame, the control apparatus carries out diagnosis on the at least one of the plurality of component devices having a problem with it.
 10. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control apparatus controls operations of the plurality of component devices, changes settings for the plurality of component devices corresponding to the data being received, and receives and displays the cycle data changed by the operation control in real time.
 11. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the control apparatus controls at least one of the plurality of component devices to stop or start operation, and searches the plurality of component devices for the at least one of the plurality of component devices having a problem with it.
 12. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the control apparatus determines whether the data being received has an error, disregards data received if the data thus received has an error, and produces a warning on the error thus received.
 13. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control apparatus sorts the cycle data received from the at least one of the plurality of component devices according to a kind of data, a kind of the component device, and data characteristics, and displays the data thus sorted, respectively.
 14. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control apparatus divides the frame into a plurality of regions and displays the data sorted in the plurality of regions, respectively.
 15. The apparatus for controlling an air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor displays the cycle data in the frame corresponding to a connection structure and an installation structure of the plurality of component devices.
 16. The apparatus for controlling an air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein if a warning is displayed on the frame and selected by a user, the control apparatus performs a problem diagnosis operation on a component device associated with the warning.
 17. The apparatus for controlling an air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of component devices comprises at least one outdoor device and a plurality of indoor devices connected to the at least one outdoor device.
 18. The apparatus for controlling an air conditioner as claimed in claim 17, wherein the control apparatus is configured to receive the cycle data from at least one of the at least one outdoor device or one the plurality of indoor devices connected to the at least one outdoor device.
 19. The apparatus for controlling an air conditioner as claimed in claim 17, wherein the control apparatus is configured to be connected to at least one of the at least one outdoor device, one of the plurality of indoor devices, or a communication line connecting the at least one outdoor device and the plurality of indoor devices.
 20. An air conditioning system, comprising: a plurality of component devices of an air conditioner, the plurality of component devices including at least one outdoor device and a plurality of indoor devices connected to the at least one outdoor device, the plurality of component devices being connected to one another to form a network; and a control apparatus in communication with at least one of the plurality of component devices to monitor and control the plurality of component devices, wherein the control apparatus receives detailed cycle data which enables problem diagnosis for the plurality of component devices from the at least one of the plurality of component devices, in real time, and displays the cycle data on the plurality of component devices in a frame on an output, in real time, and carries out a control to determine whether any of the plurality of component devices has a problem with it, a position of the problem, and a cause of the problem according to a change in the cycle data.
 21. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the control apparatus includes: an input; the output that displays the cycle data; a communication device connected to the at least one of the plurality of component devices to transmit and receive the data to and from the plurality of component devices; a processor to analyze the data, compute raw data on the plurality of component devices, change the raw data to data a user may recognize, and forward the data to the output; and a memory to store settings data for the plurality of component devices.
 22. The apparatus for controlling an air conditioner as claimed in claim 21, wherein the output comprises a touch screen.
 23. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the control apparatus stores a history of the data changing with time at a time of storage of the data for the plurality of component devices, and if the data thus stored is retrieved, displays the data changed with time corresponding to temporal information on the data thus stored.
 24. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the control apparatus analyzes the data received from the plurality of component devices to diagnose a problem or a state of the plurality of component devices, and produces a warning to the frame if a problem occurs.
 25. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the control apparatus derives and displays a help or a solution for the at least one of the plurality of component devices having a problem based on data previously stored.
 26. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 24, wherein if the warning is displayed on the frame, the control apparatus carries out diagnosis on the at least one of the plurality of component devices having a problem with it.
 27. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the control apparatus sorts the cycle data received from the at least one of the plurality of component devices according to a kind of data, a kind of the component device, and data characteristics, and displays the data thus sorted, respectively.
 28. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the control apparatus divides the frame into a plurality of regions and displays the data sorted in the plurality of regions, respectively.
 29. The apparatus for controlling an air conditioner as claimed in claim 20, wherein the control apparatus is configured to receive the cycle data from at least one of the at least one outdoor device or one the plurality of indoor devices connected to the at least one outdoor device.
 30. The apparatus for controlling an air conditioner as claimed in claim 20, wherein the control apparatus is configured to be connected to at least one of the at least one outdoor device, one of the plurality of indoor devices, or a communication line connecting the at least one outdoor device and the plurality of indoor devices. 